2. 1. Introduction
The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2010
International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures and
designated UNESCO to play a leading role in the celebration
of the Year, capitalizing on the Organizationʼs invaluable
experience of over 60 years to advance “the mutual
knowledge and understanding of peoples”.
In line with UNESCOʼs mandate, this International Year is
both the culmination of the International Decade for a Culture
of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World
(2001-2010) and the starting point of a new strategy. In a
shifting international context, UNESCO gives increased
importance to this theme which is at the forefront of the
objectives of its Medium-Term Strategy for 2008-2013:
“The fostering of cultural diversity and of its corollary,
dialogue, thus constitutes one of the most pressing
contemporary issues and is central to the Organizationʼs
comparative advantage”, that is, recognizing the great
diversity of the worldʼs cultures and the links uniting them.
3. 2. Goal
The main goal of the Year will be to demonstrate the benefits of cultural
diversity by acknowledging the importance of the constant transfers and
exchanges between cultures and the ties forged between them since the
dawn of humanity. As cultures encompass not only the arts and humanities,
but also lifestyles, different ways of living together, value systems, traditions
and beliefs, the protection and promotion of their rich diversity invites us to
rise to new challenges at the local, national, regional and international
levels. This will involve integrating the principles of dialogue and mutual
knowledge in all policies, particularly education, science, culture and
communication policies, in the hope of correcting flawed cultural
representations, values and stereotypes.
3. Strategy
The success of the Year depends to a great extent on accepting the cardinal principle of
the equal dignity of cultures, mutual respect and the strengthening of cooperation for
lasting peace. This guiding principle of UNESCOʼs action was reaffirmed during the
consultations of Member States and partner organizations with a view to drafting a plan
of action. Four major themes appear to have been identified:
i. promoting reciprocal knowledge of cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious
diversity;
ii. building a framework for commonly shared values;
iii. strengthening quality education and the building of intercultural competences;
iv. fostering dialogue for sustainable development.
4. 4. Modalities of implementation
A significant number of specific activities – around 300 – are already being considered
by Member States and various international and local partners, as well as the UNESCO
Secretariat. All replies received and the new proposals submitted throughout 2010 will be
available for consultation on UNESCOʼs website. The main types of activities scheduled
are:
a. greater opportunities for research, meetings d. contribution of the media and the new
and public debates and broadening of the communication and information
spaces for intercultural mediation in the form of technologies to change the perception of
exhibitions illustrating exchanges and transfers different cultures and religions through,
between cultures, as well as fairs and festivals, inter alia, the promotion of dialogue on
using in particular places such as museums, art the Internet where numerous cultural and
galleries and foundations, and making use of linguistic expressions can be circulated
new technologies that specifically foster and shared; or co-production fostering
linguistic diversity and translation; dialogue between media professionals
from different cultures particularly on
b. promotion of the role of creativity, which is a delicate issues;
fundamental attribute of innovation, by
stressing both individual features and e. recognition of and respect for knowledge
similarities of societies, and in that regard, – including traditional knowledge and the
enhancing the promotion of an integrated knowledge of indigenous peoples – which
vision of all aspects of the cultural heritage as a contributes to sustainable development;
bearer of history and identity that must be the promotion of human rights, philosophy
preserved, a resource and engine of and intercultural dialogue, with particular
sustainable development and tool for emphasis on fighting racism and discrimi-
intercultural dialogue, which includes nation as well as on the culture of peace
interreligious dialogue; and democracy.
c. improvement of access to formal and
non-formal education, with emphasis on quality
education for all, education on human rights,
cultural diversity, gender and the integration of
marginalized groups and the strengthening of
South-South and North-South-South
inter-university cooperation, particularly
through creating sites of excellence and
innovation;
5. 5. Partners
In view of ensuring the broad visibility of the Year and its greatest
possible impact at the local, national, regional and international levels,
UNESCO is going to strengthen cooperation with its partners:
the National Commissions of Member States for UNESCO, the United
Nations System agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental
organizations, Goodwill Ambassadors and Artists for Peace, UNESCO
Chairs and Associated Schools, Clubs and Centres, parliamentarians,
locally elected officials, the world of culture, science, education and the
media, religious leaders and other opinion leaders as well as youth
organizations.
6. 6. Contacts
You are invited to inform us at the address below of the activities you
are planning in order to celebrate the 2010, International Year for the
Rapprochement of Cultures, and the goals you intend to achieve
through them. A logo designed especially for the Year is available to
download on the Yearʼs website, and we encourage you to use it
widely.
• Focal point for Year 2010 in UNESCO:
Division of Cultural Policies and Intercultural Dialogue
Director: Katérina Stenou
(Tel. +33.1 45.68.43.03)
• Information on the presentation of projects, the logo and website:
Sasha Rubel
(Tel. +33.1.45.68.46.06, email: s.rubel@unesco.org)
Susanne Martin-Siegfried
(Tel. +33.1 45.68.42.75, email: s.martin-siegfried@unesco.org)
• Year 2010 website:
www.unesco.org/culture/dialogue
